Bio

Bio

Dr. Magdalena Janus’ main research focus is on investigating individual, family, and community-level determinants of children’s health at the age of school entry, in communities across Canada as well as internationally. Her current research projects include the study of social determinants of health for typically developing children, and children with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD); trajectories of development and education from kindergarten to later grades with focus on policy changes (e.g., introduction of full-time kindergarten, Canada Child Benefit); inclusion and equity in assessment for children with neurodevelopmental conditions; global indicators of early development for children under 3.

Current Focus Areas

Current Focus Areas

Currently, autism is included in Dr. Janus’ program of research on children living with neurodiversity, focusing on neighbourhood-level social determinants of health for kindergarten-age children. Some publications were focused on autism only. Most recent publications focus on children with FASD, with autism included as control condition.

• Some examples:
  • Hawke, R., Reid-Westoby, C., Pei, J. & Janus, M. Teacher-Reported Prevalence of FASD in Kindergarten and Association With Home Problems and Early Intervention in 2010–2015 and 2016–2020. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-026-02025-3.
  • Janus, M., Brownell, M., Reid-Westoby, C., Pottruff, M., Forer, B., Guhn, M., Duku, E. (2024) Neighbourhood-level socioeconomic status and prevalence of teacher-reported health disorders among Canadian kindergarten children. Frontiers in Public Health. Vol. 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1295195
  • Siddiqua, A., Janus, M., Mesterman, R., Duku, E., Georgiades, K., Saxena, F., Zhao, H. & Saunders, N. (2021). Primary Care Provider and Child Characteristics Associated with Age of Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. (Online First) Doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-05165-8
  • Siddiqua, A., Duku, E., Georgiades, K., Mesterman, R., & Janus, M. Association between neighbourhood socioeconomic status and developmental vulnerability of kindergarten children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A population level study. (2020). SSM- Population Health 12, 100662. doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100662.

Career Highlights

Career Highlights

• As a researcher who is interested in equity for children with a broad spectrum of neurodevelopmental conditions, Dr. Janus is keen to promote inclusivity and accountability for this population. Her interest and past work contributed to her current development of a research program in collaboration with the Sunny Hill BC Children’s Health Centre in her new role at the Department of Pediatrics at University of British Columbia.